U.S. patent application number 11/491820 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for non-rollover apparatus and methods.
Invention is credited to Anne Scott Ebert.
Application Number | 20070044199 11/491820 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37801982 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070044199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ebert; Anne Scott |
March 1, 2007 |
Non-rollover apparatus and methods
Abstract
In some embodiments, apparatus for assisting in preventing a
subject from rolling over from a lying position includes a garment
portion capable of being worn by the subject and at least one
bumper member engageable with the garment portion. The at least one
bumper, when engaged with the garment, is capable of preventing
rolling over of the subject from a lying position.
Inventors: |
Ebert; Anne Scott;
(Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
E. RANDALL SMITH
2777 ALLEN PARKWAY
SUITE 800
HOUSTON
TX
77019
US
|
Family ID: |
37801982 |
Appl. No.: |
11/491820 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60712157 |
Aug 29, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/111 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 13/065 20130101;
A47D 15/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/111 |
International
Class: |
A41B 13/08 20060101
A41B013/08 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for assisting in preventing a subject from rolling
over from a lying position, the apparatus comprising: a garment
portion capable of being worn by the subject; and at least two
bumper members engageable with said garment portion, said at least
two bumper members being capable of preventing the subject from
rolling over from a lying position when said at least two bumper
members are engaged with said garment portion and said garment
portion is worn by the subject.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least two bumper
members are positionable on said garment portion so as to prevent
contact of said at least two bumper members with the head of the
subject wearing said garment portion.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said bumper members are
engageable with said garment portion so that, when engaged with
said garment portion, said bumper members cannot be moved away from
the subject wearing said garment portion during normal operating
conditions.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the subject is an infant and
the lying position is a supine position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said at least two bumper
members includes two said bumper members.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said garment portion and said
bumper members are securely engageable during use and selectively
disengageable after use to allow at least one among the subject's
wearing said garment portion by the subject without restriction
caused by said bumper members, cleaning at least one among said
garment portion and at least one said bumper member, repairing at
least one among said garment portion and at least one said bumper
member and replacing at least one among said garment portion and at
least one said bumper member.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further including at least one
connector capable of connecting said garment portion and each said
bumper member, whereby said bumper members are selectively
removable from said garment portion.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said at least one connector is
positioned on the apparatus to avoid being disposed beneath the
subject wearing said garment portion in a lying position.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said connector includes a
zipper engageable between said garment portion and each said bumper
member.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said garment portion includes
left and right arm and leg portions and a torso portion having left
and right sides, wherein a first said bumper member is connectable
to said garment portion on the left side of said torso portion
between said left arm and leg portions, and a second said bumper
member is connectable to said garment portion on the right side of
said torso portion between said right arm and leg portions.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said garment portion is one
among a footed pajama and a legless baby suit.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said garment portion includes
mitten cuffs.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each said bumper member has a
generally triangular cross-sectional shape.
14. An apparatus capable of preventing a subject from rolling over
from a supine position, the apparatus comprising: a garment portion
capable of being worn by the subject, said garment portion having
left and right sides and left and right arm and leg portions; and
first and second bumper members engageable with said garment
portion at said left and right sides thereof between said
respective corresponding arm and leg portions.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the subject is an infant and
said first and second bumper members are positionable on said
garment portion so as to prevent contact of said bumper members
with the head of the infant wearing said garment portion.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 further including at least one
connector useful for securely engaging and selectively disengaging
said garment portion and each said bumper member, wherein said at
least one connector is positionable on the apparatus to avoid being
disposed beneath the subject wearing said garment portion in a
lying position.
17. An infant safety device capable of preventing the infant from
turning over out of a supine position, the infant safety device
comprising: a garment portion capable of being worn by the infant,
said garment portion including a torso portion, said torso portion
extending around at least part of the torso of the infant between
the arms and legs of the infant when the infant is wearing said
garment portion; and at least two bumper members selectively
releasably engageable with said garment portion on opposing sides
of said torso portion of said garment portion.
18. The infant safety device of claim 17 wherein said at least two
bumper members are engageable with said garment portion so that,
when engaged with said garment portion, said bumper members cannot
be moved away from the infant wearing said garment portion in a
lying position during normal operating conditions.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 further including at least one zipper
for securely engaging and selectively disengaging said garment
portion and each said bumper member, wherein said at least one
zipper is positioned on the apparatus to avoid being disposed
beneath the subject while wearing said garment portion in a lying
position.
20. A method of inhibiting a subject from rolling over from a lying
position with the use of a non-rollover device, the non-rollover
device including a garment and at least one bumper member, the
method comprising: engaging the at least one bumper member with the
garment; placing the subject into the garment; placing the subject
in the lying position; the at least one bumper member maintaining
its general position relative to the subject; and the at least one
bumper member inhibiting the subject from rolling over from the
lying position during normal operating conditions.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the subject is placed in a
supine position.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the subject is an infant,
further including turning down mitten cuffs on the sleeves of the
garment to cover the hands of the infant.
23. The method of claim 20 further including disconnecting the at
least one bumper member from the garment.
24. The method of claim 23 further including allowing the subject
to continue wearing the garment without restriction caused by the
at least one bumper member.
25. The method of claim 23 further including reconnecting the at
least one bumper member with the garment portion.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/712,157 filed Aug. 29, 2005 and entitled
"Non-Rollover Apparatus & Method", the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods and
apparatus for preventing a human or other animal from rolling over
from a lying position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is often desirable to prevent a human or other animal
(collectively, the "subject") from turning over from a particular
position. In the case of infants, for example, it is desirable to
decrease the risk of the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS) by supporting or maintaining the child in a certain position
or orientation. A current position preference to reduce the
possibility of SIDS is believed to be the supine position.
[0004] With respect to infants and SIDS, while the position
preference for avoiding SIDS has varied over time, existing
technology does not sufficiently prevent an infant from rolling
over from a lying position. For example, infants can "kick out" of
many currently existing sleep positioners and thereafter roll over.
Because infants are known to kick their legs at night, the
potential for an infant kicking a presently available sleep
positioner out of position and turning over is great. Another
problem that may arise with the use of known restraints is the
potential that the restraint may disturb or injure the subject.
Various known restraints are believed to abrade, cut, suffocate or
otherwise undesirably contact or disturb the subject.
[0005] It should be understood that the above-described examples,
features and/or disadvantages are provided for illustrative
purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope or subject
matter of the claims of this patent or any patent claiming priority
hereto. Thus, none of the appended claims or claims of any related
patent should be limited by the above discussion or construed to
address, include or exclude the cited examples, features and/or
disadvantages, except and only to the extent as may be expressly
stated in a particular claim.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to have non-rollover
apparatus and methods capable of preventing a subject from turning
over that possess one or more of the following features,
capabilities or attributes: prevents the subject from rolling over
from a lying position under normal conditions; retains infants in
safe sleeping positions; cannot be kicked out of, or pushed away,
by the subject under normal conditions; maintains the desired
position of the restraining mechanism relative to the subject
throughout use of the non-rollover device; ensures the head of the
subject is not contacted by, wedged under or smothered by the
restraining mechanism; includes at least one bumper member
connectable to a garment portion that is worn by the subject;
includes at least one bumper member securely connectable to and
easily selectively releasable from a garment portion worn by the
subject; includes at least one connector for connecting at least
one bumper member to a garment portion worn by the subject, the
connector being located so that it does not extend beneath the
subject and create discomfort or harm to the subject; may be easily
disassembled for cleaning, repairing, maintenance or replacement or
parts; is easily manufactured and assembled; may be implemented by
retrofitting existing components; or a combination thereof.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In some embodiments, the present invention involves an
apparatus for assisting in preventing a subject from rolling over
from a lying position. The apparatus includes a garment portion
capable of being worn by the subject and at least two bumper
members engageable with the garment portion. The bumper members are
capable of preventing the subject from rolling over from a lying
position when the bumper members are engaged with the garment
portion and the garment portion is worn by the subject.
[0008] In various embodiments, the present invention involves an
apparatus capable of preventing a subject from rolling over from a
supine position. The apparatus includes a garment portion capable
of being worn by the subject, the garment portion having left and
right sides and left and right arm and leg portions. First and
second bumper members are engageable with the garment portion at
the left and right sides thereof between the respective
corresponding arm and leg portions.
[0009] There are embodiments of the invention involving an infant
safety device capable of preventing the infant from turning over
out of a supine position. The device includes a garment portion and
at least two bumper members. The garment portion is capable of
being worn by the infant and includes a torso portion extending
around at least part of the torso of the infant between his/her
arms and legs when the infant is wearing the garment portion. At
least two bumper members are selectively releasably engageable with
the garment portion on opposing sides of the torso portion.
[0010] In many embodiments of the present invention, a method of
inhibiting a subject from rolling over from a lying position with
the use of a non-rollover device includes engaging at least one
bumper member to a garment. The subject is placed into the garment
and the desired lying position. The at least one bumper maintains
its general position relative to the subject and inhibits the
subject from rolling over from the lying position during normal
operating conditions.
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention includes features and
advantages which are believed to enable it to advance non-rollover
technology. Characteristics and advantages of the present invention
described above and additional features and benefits will be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and
referring to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The following figures are part of the present specification,
included to demonstrate certain aspects of presently preferred
embodiments of the invention and referenced in the detailed
description herein.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a
non-rollover device being worn by an infant in a supine position in
accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of a non-rollover
device in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a
non-rollover device being worn by an infant in a supine position in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of the non-rollover device
of FIG. 1 showing a releasable connector useful for connecting a
bumper member to the garment portion of the illustrated
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Characteristics and advantages of the present invention and
additional features and benefits will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed
description of presently preferred embodiments of the claimed
invention and referring to the accompanying figures. It should be
understood that the description herein and appended drawings, being
of preferred embodiments, are not intended to limit the appended
claims or the claims of any patent or patent application claiming
priority to this application. On the contrary, the intention is to
cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling
within the spirit and scope of the claims. Many changes may be made
to the particular embodiments and details disclosed herein without
departing from such spirit and scope.
[0018] In showing and describing the preferred embodiments, like or
identical reference numerals are used to identify common or similar
elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain
features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated
in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and
conciseness.
[0019] As used herein and throughout various portions (and
headings) of this patent, the terms "invention", "present
invention" and variations thereof are not intended to mean the
invention of every possible embodiment of the invention or any
particular claim or claims. Thus, the subject matter of each such
reference should not be considered as necessary for, or part of,
every embodiment of the invention or any particular claim(s) merely
because of such reference. Also, it should be noted that reference
herein and in the appended claims to components and aspects in a
singular tense does not necessarily limit the present invention to
only one such component or aspect, but should be interpreted
generally to mean one or more, as may be suitable and desirable in
each particular instance.
[0020] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a
non-rollover device 10 capable of preventing a subject 14 from
rolling over, such as from a supine or prone position, under
typical or normal conditions is shown. Typical or normal
(operating) conditions are those conditions existing when the
non-rollover device 10 is used under circumstances which will not
inhibit the device from preventing a subject 14 from rolling over.
Typical or normal conditions may vary depending upon the subject
14, environment or other factors. For example, typical conditions
would not exist with subjects having physical or mental
characteristics, such as the intelligence, coordination or
strength, that would enable them to turn over while using the
non-rollover device 10.
[0021] The illustrated subject 14 is an infant 18 up to
approximately 6 months of age. However, the present invention is
not limited to being used by infants 18, but may be used by humans
of any age or even other animals, when suitable and desired. Thus,
the present invention is not generally limited by the type of
subject 14. As used herein, the terms "supine" and variations
thereof mean lying generally on one's back or being generally face
up. The terms "prone" and variations thereof mean lying generally
on one's stomach, being prostrate or generally face down. It should
be understood that, with respect to infants 18, it is believed the
current preference to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome (SIDS) is to prevent rolling over from a supine position.
However, there may be instances in which it is desirable to prevent
a subject 14 from rolling over from a prone position or even some
other lying position, such as the subject 14 lying on a side. The
use herein of terms "lying" and variations thereof, without
reference to the subject's orientation (e.g. supine, prone,
sideways), is not limited to any particular orientation. Thus, the
present invention is not limited by the particular lying position
or orientation of the subject 14. PLEASE BE ADVISED, THE
NON-ROLLOVER DEVICE 10 MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL INFANTS, OTHER
PERSONS OR ANIMALS, OR ALL POSITIONS, ENVORINMENTS AND
CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS PATENT DOES NOT AUTHORIZE USE OF THE
NON-ROLLOVER DEVICE 10.
[0022] Still referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
non-rollover device 10 includes a garment portion 22 capable of
being worn by the subject 14 and at least one bumper member 26
engageable with the garment portion 22. The garment portion 22
extends around at least part of the torso, or trunk, 16 of the
subject 14 (i.e. between the arms and legs of the subject 14). The
bumper members 26, when engaged with the garment portion 22, are
designed to prevent the subject 14 from rolling over from (out of)
the subject's lying start position.
[0023] The garment portion 22 may have any suitable form,
configuration and construction. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
garment portion 22 is a long-sleeve, one-piece, footed pajama 28,
such as constructed of 100% imported sea-island pima cotton and
having a 14'' 35 cm open-end zipper 30 on its front. For another
example, referring to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the garment portion
22 may be a short-sleeve legless baby suit 34, sometimes referred
to as a "onesie." In other embodiments, the garment portion 22 may
be a shirt or other single piece item or include multiple
pieces.
[0024] If the garment portion 22 has long sleeves, such as the
sleeves 38 of the embodiment of FIG. 3, it may be desirable to
include mitten cuffs 40. Mitten cuffs 40 are conventionally formed
by folding back or turning over the end of the sleeve 38 to close
off the arm-hole. Mitten cuffs 40 may be desirable, for example, to
cover the hands of the subject 14, such as when the subject 14 is
not covered with a blanket during use of the non-rollover device
10.
[0025] The bumper members 26 may likewise have any suitable form,
configuration and construction. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, for
example, the bumper members 26 are wedges 50 having a generally
triangular cross-section. Each illustrated wedge 50 includes a foam
core (not shown) and a cover 52 that extends over the core. The
core and cover 52 may be constructed of any suitable material, such
as, for example, material that is non-toxic, "baby friendly", easy
to clean, durable, comfortable, soft and/or flame-retardant. The
core and cover 52 are shaped and sized as desired, such as to fit
the associated garment portion 22, effectively prevent rollover of
the subject 14, avoid undesired encumbrance to or contact with the
subject 14 or a combination thereof. If desired, the wedge 50 may
be a commercially available component or product, such is currently
available under the name "Especially for Baby Mother's Choice Sleep
Positioner" by Geoffrey, Inc. and sold by Toys `R` Us, Inc. For
other non-limiting examples, the bumper members 26 may have a
generally wall-like shape or a rectangular, square or circular
cross-sectional shape.
[0026] Still referring to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the bumper
member(s) 26 may be included in any suitable quantity and may have
any suitable location on the garment portion, so long as the bumper
members 26 prevent the subject 14 from rolling over from the
subject's lying start position under normal conditions. In the
example of FIG. 1, there are two bumper members 26, each extending
along a side 54, 58 of the garment portion 22 generally between the
corresponding arm and leg portions 60, 62, respectively. In this
particular configuration, the non-rollover device 10 prevents the
subject 14 from rolling over from a starting supine or prone
position under normal conditions. For another example, one or more
bumper member (not shown) may be positioned between the left and
right sides on the front of the garment portion 22, and another one
or more bumper member positioned between the left and right sides
on the back of the garment portion 22 to prevent the subject 14
from rolling over from a sideways lying start position.
[0027] The bumper members 26 are engageable with the garment
portion 22 in any suitable manner. Engagement generally helps
prevent the bumper members 26 from being moved away from the
subject 14 under normal conditions to preserve the non-rollover
capability of the device 10. In certain circumstances, engagement
may also help prevent a bumper member 26 from becoming located over
the head of the subject 14, smothering the subject 14 or otherwise
undesirably abrading, contacting or disturbed the subject 14.
[0028] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, for example, the bumper members
26 are securely engaged with and selectively disengageable from the
garment portion 22 by connectors 70. The bumper members 26 and
garment portion 22 of this example are selectively, or
controllably, disengageable under normal operating conditions
because a third party, such as a parent of an infant subject, but
not the subject 14, performs the disengagement. Allowing
disengagement may be desirable, for example, to allow separate
cleaning, repairing and/or replacement of the garment portion 22,
bumper members 26 or a part thereof removal of the bumper members
26 or a part thereof, such as to allow the subject 14 to wear the
garment portion 22 without restriction caused by the bumper
member(s) 26, or other suitable reason.
[0029] The connectors 70 may have any suitable form, configuration
and location. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each connector 70 is a
zipper 74 (see FIG. 4) extending between the garment portion 22 and
each bumper member 26. For example, the zipper 74 may be a 9''
separating zipper sewn onto each side 54, 58 of the garment portion
22 and a corresponding part of each bumper member 26. In this
embodiment, the zipper 74 provides secure connection and easy,
selective disengagement of the garment portion 22 and bumper
members 26. The illustrated location of the zipper 74 may generally
prevent the zipper 74 from extending beneath the subject 14 during
normal use, avoiding discomfort that could be caused thereby. For
other examples, the connector 70 may include Velcro, snaps, buttons
(not shown) or a combination thereof For yet other examples, the
garment portion 22 and bumper members 26 may be permanently
affixed, such as by sewing the bumper members 26, or one or more
part thereof, to the garment portion 22. For still further
examples, the bumper members 26 and garment portion 22, or one or
more part thereof, may be integrally formed during manufacturing,
such as a garment portion (not shown) formed with side pockets for
holding the bumper members.
[0030] Referencing the example non-rollover device 10 of FIG. 1, an
embodiment of a method for assisting in preventing a subject 14
from rolling over under normal conditions will now be described.
The bumper member(s) 26 and non-rollover outfit 10 are connected
together. The subject dons is placed into, or dons, the garment
portion 22. The subject 14 is placed into or assumes the desired
lying position, such as a supine position. The bumper members 26
maintain their general position relative to the subject 14 and at
least inhibit the subject 26 from rolling over during normal
operating conditions. Thereafter, if the bumper members 26 are
removable from the garment portion 22, the bumper members 26 may be
removed from the garment portion 22 and later reconnected or
replaced.
[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention thus offer
advantages over the prior art and are well adapted to carry out one
or more of the objects of the invention. However, the present
invention does not require each of the components and acts
described above and is in no way limited to the above-described
embodiments or methods of operation. Any one or more of the above
components, features and processes may be employed in any suitable
configuration without inclusion of other such components, features
and processes. Moreover, the present invention includes additional
features, capabilities, functions, methods, uses and applications
that have not been specifically addressed herein but are, or will
become, apparent from the description herein and the appended
drawings and claims.
[0032] The methods described above and claimed herein and any other
methods which may fall within the scope of the appended claims can
be performed in any desired suitable order and are not necessarily
limited to the sequence described herein or as may be listed in the
appended claims. Further, the methods of the present invention do
not necessarily require use of the particular embodiments shown and
described in the present application, but are equally applicable
with any other suitable structure, form and configuration of
components.
[0033] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown
and described, many variations, modifications and/or changes of the
apparatus and methods of the present invention, such as in the
components, details of construction and operation, arrangement of
parts and/or methods of use, are possible, contemplated by the
patentee, within the scope of the appended claims, and may be made
and used by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from
the spirit or teachings of the invention and scope of appended
claims. Thus, all matter herein set forth or shown in the
accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and the
scope of the invention and the appended claims should not be
limited to the embodiments described and shown herein.
* * * * *